So this past weekend Nate and I went on another backpacking trip. We went to the White Clouds. I had never been there before. It was so incredible, it was beautiful. The pictures I took don't even do justice for the beauty. The hike was about 1.5 miles to a lake, I believe this was 4th of July lake. This part of the hike was pretty easy. If you are not a big hiker you could do this part. It does have some uphill but is mostly pretty level. Then the next part it tough, you go up about a mile and also you have the elevation to take into consideration. Once you get to the top your at about 10,000 feet. This is such an amazing view!! I felt so small in this world when I was taking this all in. God is amazing at the beauty he has created for us to enjoy! I can't even imagine what heaven is going to look like when I see the beautiful things around me! After we enjoyed the beauty for a while we headed down into Ant's basin to continue our hike to Born lake. We have to hike down a steep mountain that has some switchbacks and loose rock. I was scared I was going to topple over with my pack on. The hike down to the lake we stayed at was about 1.5 miles or so. ( I think this hike was about 4-5 miles) Once we got to camp Nate set up the tent and got organized. I am not going to lie, I was beat. I think I was dehydrated along with some elevation sickness or something. I had such a bad headache. The next day the guys did a day hike and did some fishing. In fact, they brought home some fish and Matt cooked them for an appetizer for us. They were amazing!! Drew brought along with him different kinds of peppers and they played a spin the bottle type of pepper game. Mo and I were the smart ones and did not play this. This whole weekend I was nervous I wasn't going to sleep because our last backpacking trip I had trouble because we had seen bears the trip a few years ago. So this weekend I had Nate bring his melatonin. I slept great Friday night but Saturday it was so windy that all the tents were making weird noises. No one slept very good that night. Everyone got up to check things out and fix tents, and gather belonging that were blowing away. Then at about 7 am it started to rain so everyone got up and started to pack up. We were on the trail by 8:30. I thought the weather was perfect for hiking out. It was cloud cover with a little bit of a breeze. I am very glad I went, a few weeks ago I had almost convinced myself not to go. Then La talked me into it, and I am glad she did!! I didn't think I would be able to make it. On the way down Nate stopped at the meadow, I asked him what he was doing. He said, "Looking where we just came from." He was staring at the mountain we just climbed down and I said, "Wow, that's where we just were and I did it." So I took a pic. and this is my "I can do it" picture. If I am going to print it off and put it somewhere I will see it everyday and if I am having a bad day or something I can remind myself I can do it!! I am married to an amazing man. Nate and I got married June 2006. Time has gone by so fast. We enjoy spending time together. We enjoy spending time outside, camping, fishing, hiking, and enjoy being around our friends. Nate is busy with his job, but loves it, and the people he works with. I am still working at St. Luke's hospital, it has already been 7 years. Wow times goes so fast. I just changed departments and work at a doctors office for St. Lukes. I just finished the nursing program at Boise State and am now a nurse. It is good to be finished with school, at least for now. I am taking this semester off and will go back in January. We are both very thankful to have God in our life. He has blessed our life in so many ways.

Read More

is a two-shock suspension system that automatically varies travel from an. efficient short-travel climbing mode (100mm on the Abra Cadabra, 120mm on the Coilair). Matt Slaven with the lighter of his two Kona Abra Cadabra race bikes. Slaven has three race bikes: two 160mm Abra Cadabras, which vary by the weight of the. Bike choice is an important decision for any all-mountain race. builds, and a Coilair which, with 200mm of travel, enters into downhill bike territory. sponsorship as the Canadian company expanded their race program to include an. all-mountain component. Slaven has been riding his lighter Abra Cadabra more, in an attempt to. better his technical skill. pick a light build that'll give you an advantage on the climbs or a. heavier spec that'll be more forgiving on the descents.

Read Article